Adult diagnosis UK

[Lellynelly]

Any adults here in the UK been through the assessment process?
I am a 51 yr old high functioning autistic married female in a full time job, and have only recently decided to get an 'official' diagnosis. After voicing my 'concerns' my gp has referred me to the 'autism network' for an assessment. This was nearly 3 weeks ago, and he told me to wait at least a month before calling him back to hurry them along. My question is this: what are they actually likely to do at this assessment? Will they just ask questions? Or are they likely to get me to do things such as retell stories or interpret non verybal communication? Do you think it will just be the one appointment?
When my eldest son was diagnosed at the age of 11 he already was under a paed for developmental delay and when we said we though he was on the autistic spectrum she agreed just like that. No assessment or anything.
I am hoping it will be as quick with me - an hours discussion with me and my husband and a diagnosis. I suspect I may be wrong though.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

The assessment process varies a great deal around the UK, knowing what county you are in might help someone give you a potentially more accurate answer. I was received an NHS diagnosis in Norfolk. For me the process was:
1. Referral by GP
2. (a month later) Initial screening assessment, which was a quick 10 minute chat about why I thought I might be on the spectrum and talking a short version of the AQ test.
3. (3 more months later) The actually assessment. This was done in 2 appointments. The first was a semi-structured interview when the psychologist asked me questions related to a list of topics and I answered and rambled on about whatever else came to mind. Basically a chat which lasted about two hours. The 2nd session was the ADOS test with a different psychologist, which took about an hour and a half. I got my diagnostic report a month later.

There have been a few other thread like this, is you search the forum for 'uk diagnosis' you might find them.

 

[Lellynelly]

Hi there Nothingtoseehere. I too am in Norfolk and it is the autism network Norwich I have been referred to. Apparently I will go to the Charing Cross Centre. 3 month wait??!! Blimey that's ridiculous! And I thought they only did ADOS assessments on children. ?

 

[xudo]

I'm in Cardiff. The process for me was:
See GP
Get referral to CMHT
See CMHT
Get referral to Autism assessment service
See Autism nurse
Get referral to consultant
Get diagnosis.

The whole process for me was only a few months, but the same thing for my husband was 2 years. For both of our assessments, it was essentially a really long chat. They wanted a parent present so they could get information about childhood, and then the rest was just talking about our lives from kids up to now. At mine, I was also asked to explain what certain sayings meant; for example "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". It was mostly things like social interactions, academic problems and things like that.

 

[ksheehan88]

Hi there Nothingtoseehere. I too am in Norfolk and it is the autism network Norwich I have been referred to. Apparently I will go to the Charing Cross Centre. 3 month wait??!! Blimey that's ridiculous! And I thought they only did ADOS assessments on children. ?

I am in Cornwall and have up to 12 month wait for assessment.

I got a referral through a therapist. I was sent a questionnaire that I had to fill out that would help them decide whether a referral was necessary.

Then they sent a questionnaire to my Mum to fill in about my childhood. Now I have another 3/4 month wait out of the 12 before I get the actual assessment, which from my understanding is up to a 5 hour appointment with a psychologist.

 

[xudo]

I am in Cornwall and have up to 12 month wait for assessment.

I got a referral through a therapist. I was sent a questionnaire that I had to fill out that would help them decide whether a referral was necessary.

Then they sent a questionnaire to my Mum to fill in about my childhood. Now I have another 3/4 month wait out of the 12 before I get the actual assessment, which from my understanding is up to a 5 hour appointment with a psychologist.

Ahh yes, I forgot about the questionnaires! I was given them before seeing the autism nurse and had to take them with me when I saw her, and then the consultant had them when I had the assessment. The nurse also suggested that I complete an autism profile to take to the assessment with me, as you can never remember everything. Here's a link to do one for yourselves, if you'd find it useful Adult Personal Profile.

 

[Lellynelly]

I already did an AQ 50 and showed it to my gp before he referred me (I had scored 44)

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

Hi there Nothingtoseehere. I too am in Norfolk and it is the autism network Norwich I have been referred to. Apparently I will go to the Charing Cross Centre. 3 month wait??!! Blimey that's ridiculous! And I thought they only did ADOS assessments on children. ?

I had my initial screening at Charing Cross centre, with Asperger East Anglia. A 3 month wait is actually quite short compared to some people I talked too, waits of up to 12 month aren't unheard of. Long waiting times are unfortunately the norm for getting an adult diagnosis on the NHS, hopefully you'll be lucky and get through it quickly

The ADOS has 4 'modules' designed for different ages and ability ranges. Module 4 is for verbally fluent adolescents and adults.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

I forgot about the questionnaires too! I was given the AQ 50, an emotional quotient one, and another that I can't recall, and I gave one about my childhood to my mum to fill in.